BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday it appreciated and welcomed New Zealand's decision not to impose anti-dumping measures against Chinese galvanized steel.

The comments came after New Zealand authorities ruled earlier this month that Chinese subsidies on galvanized sheet steel imports were too small to have injured the domestic industry.

"This [ruling] was in line with facts," said MOC spokesperson Gao Feng at a press conference.

The decision will help advance Sino-New Zealand communication and cooperation in economic and trade areas, Gao said.

He told reporters that China was ready to work together with other countries to promote trade and investment liberalization and fight against protectionism, citing the unsteady recovery of the world economy.

The New Zealand government began an anti-subsidy probe in December last year into galvanized sheet steel from China.

Chinese authorities have said the products involved in the probe only accounted for 2.5 percent to 4 percent of New Zealand's domestic market, causing no harm to the domestic industry.

China has been New Zealand's biggest source of manufactured goods for years, while China's imports from New Zealand are growing steadily.